INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON SRI LANKA’S APPAREL INDUSTRY A world-leading manufacturer of apparel for iconic retail brands, we peel back the layers on Sri Lanka’s textiles manufacturing industry as a trusted and ethical end-to-end partner Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Jordan Levey
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he manufacturing and foreign export of apparel has long been a staple of the Sri Lankan economy, ever since its inception within the domestic market post-independence in 1948. Current statistics estimate that the industry contributes close to 47 percent of Sri Lanka’s total exports, and 59 percent of the country’s industrial exports. Sri Lanka today enjoys an esteemed reputation as not just a manufacturer of choice, but also a trusted end-to-end solutions provider that oversees the entire process from design conceptualisation to product delivery. This is evidenced by the esteemed list of iconic brands and retailers that rely on Sri Lankan manufacturers, including Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret to name just a few. With the majority of such brands based in the US, the region has grown to represent Sri Lanka’s largest
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export market, followed by the UK. In today’s industrial climate, stakeholders are driving the sector’s emergence from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting its vitality in sustaining the Sri Lankan economy. Despite the increased cost of raw materials and the added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lankan apparel’s resilience and commitment to doing what is right is showcased by the industry’s ability to have over 95 percent of its staff double vaccinated and over 40 percent having obtained the booster as well. As the country’s flagship export sector, Sri Lanka’s apparel industry maintains its competitive advantage on the global manufacturing stage by keeping pace with industry-wide trends. This has been witnessed by the rapid evolution of the sector over the past three decades, with significant investment in innovation, R&D and design.
